Katie Ledecky made history as the just second woman to win three individual freestyle events at a single Olympic Games on Friday night when she successfully defended her 2012 gold in the 800m freestyle.
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However, as 19-year-old Ledecky stormed to a famous victory, Carlin was in a fierce battle for the silver with Hungary’s Boglarka Kapas. It also had viewers and social media commentators amazed by the length of distance between Ledecky and her nearest competitor.
Ledecky led from the start to clock eight minutes, 4.79 seconds, beating her previous mark of 8:06.68 set in Austin, Texas in January. “I’ve been able to do everything I’ve ever put my mind to in the sport and after 24 years in the sport, I’m happy with how things finished”.
She dominated once again to win the gold medal in the women’s 800m freestyle in world record time, finishing in 8:04.79. She’s seeking to complete a sweep of the 200, 400 and 800 freestyles for the first time since the 1968 Mexico City Games.
“I’m glad I can be an inspiration to others, but I haven’t really thought about how much life has changed yet”, Manuel said. Then, after her coach moved to the West Coast, Ledecky hooked up with Bruce Gemmell and never missed a beat. ‘They have been there through the tough times and it is nice that they can be here.
Watching her compete in the 800m was almost comical, as there was absolutely no competition even halfway through the race. Coming into the Rio Games, she owned the top 10 times in the event.
Gold medallist Katie Ledecky reacts after winning gold.
What made it even more special: Schooling still has a picture that he took with Phelps when the US team trained in Singapore before the 2008 Olympics, the games where Phelps won a record eight gold medals in the pinnacle of his career.
Ledecky set another world record en route to her fourth gold medal, and Phelps won medal No. 27.
“She sent like a good luck video to my mom who forwarded it to me and I saw it right before I left before the session tonight”, Ledecky said.
After putting off college for a year to focus on the Olympics, she’ll head to Stanford in the fall and join fellow USA teammates Simone Manuel and Leah Smith.
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After winning four gold medals at the Rio de Janeiro Games and looking unbeatable, Phelps finally ran out of steam in what was the final individual race of his career – unless he decides to come out of retirement again.
